The blood profile requires that a blood sample be drawn by a certified technician. The procedure is simple and usually painless. The blood is drawn from the arm and is analyzed in the St. Luke's Hospital Laboratory for several variables including cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, calcium and more. If you have a tendency to get light-headed or dizzy when having blood drawn, please let the technician know before hand.

To ensure accurate results, follow these guidelines for the blood profile:

1.

You must fast for 12 hours before the test. This means no food, coffee (caffeinated or noncaffeinated), tea, pop (diet or non-diet), gum, or cough drops. You may drink as much water as you like.

2.

Avoid alcohol consumption for 48 hours before the test.

3.

We encourage you to continue with any prescribed medications. If you decide to discontinue use of prescribed medications for the fast, please first check with your physician.

HEMOCULT

Cost: $25.00

New Immuno Fecal Occult Blood Testing

St. Luke’s Microbiology Lab will offer a new screening test for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer among men and women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 60% of deaths from colon cancer could be prevented if everyone 50 years or older were regularly screened. When cancer is detected and treated at an early stage the 5 year survival rate is 90%.

The new testing options offers many benefits:

No dietary or medicinal restrictions

Only one sample required, not three

Easy to use collection device

Improved sensitivity (fewer false negative results)

Improved specificity (fewer false positive results)

Postage paid preaddressed mailing envelopes available for outpatient home collection

Patients with hemorrhoids or menstrual bleeding should not be tested until such bleeding ceases.

Specimen collection bottles and preaddressed mailers can be picked up on your scheduled screening day at Kirkwood.

You will directly mail your sample to the St. Luke’s Hospital Lab listed on your collection packet.

PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA)

Cost: $40.00

Males over 40 years of age and have not had a PSA test within the last year, you will be eligible for this screening. The PSA is a test used to aid in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer. A small blood sample is drawn and tested for elevated antigen levels at the St. Luke's laboratory.

All test results remain confidential. If you have any questions/concerns, please call Jill Williams at 319-398-5640.